Public vs. Private School: Why Families Choose Private Education

• Smaller class sizes: Private schools typically offer lower student-to-teacher ratios, allowing more personalized instruction and support.
• Whole child focus: In addition to academics, private schools emphasize social-emotional development and hands-on learning.
• Stronger outcomes: Data shows private school graduates are more likely to attend selective colleges and thrive in their careers.
• Parental partnership: Families benefit from close collaboration with educators, creating a more aligned support system for student growth.
• Value-based education: At schools like Friends Academy, Quaker principles foster inclusive communities and values-driven learning.

Lack of adult role models, overwhelming technological distraction, a culture focused on achievement instead of values—young people today face challenges like these and many more. From an early age, students are inundated with noise and anxiety about the future, leaving many unmotivated and disengaged in traditional school environments that struggle to support their growth

What do young learners need to harness the power of critical thinking, reflective observation, and data-driven experimentation? How can we, as educators, inspire our students to successfully engage with the world in an informed, compassionate way?

Let’s discuss the difference between private school vs. public school, and explore how the welcoming community at Friends Academy is actively working to develop the next generation of driven, mission-oriented changemakers.

Explore the history of Quakerism and its founding principles in our guide!

What's the Difference Between Private School and Public School?

When comparing private and public schools, words like exclusive, expensive, or rigorous often come to mind. However, the real differences between public and private education go far beyond these surface-level perceptions.

Public schools are generally much larger than private schools, which can lead to a higher student-to-teacher ratio and fewer opportunities for close collaboration between parents, educators, administrators, and students. The public school system also faces broader challenges—teacher shortages, limited resources, and technology gaps—that can hinder personalized learning and overall engagement.

Private schools, including independent and college prep schools, typically offer smaller, more personalized learning environments where parents, teachers, and administrators partner to support student progress. These intimate settings create space for individualized attention and goal-setting, while encouraging experiential, hands-on learning through peer collaboration and real-world engagement.

Advantages of private education:

Private School vs. Public School Outcomes: What the Data Shows

Unlike many traditional public schools, private schools often embrace a holistic approach to education, focusing on both academic achievement and social and emotional growth. Moreover, research indicates that private school students tend to experience greater success after graduation compared to their public school counterparts.

Research from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) shows that a private school’s holistic approach to education can lead to stronger long-term outcomes, particularly in college preparedness. One particular study, for example, highlighted that 85% of NAIS graduates enrolled in college immediately after high school, compared to 69% of public school graduates.

"Nearly 100 percent of graduates from NAIS schools go on to college, with more than half attending the most selective colleges and universities."

Further, because private school students are more likely to engage with hands-on learning opportunities, participate in extracurricular activities, collaborate with expert teaching staff, and experience customizable coursework, these students experience “higher rates of well-being and workplace engagement later in life.”

In sum, the data shows that students who graduate from private schools are more likely to enter the real world with the knowledge, ambition, and self-awareness needed to take the next step in their academic journey, and ultimately, successfully engage with the world.

Key Strengths of Private Schools that Drive Parents' Choice

Research from NAIS highlights four key strengths of private schools that influence why parents choose them over public schools.

1. Safe and supportive learning environment: When public schools don’t meet their child’s academic or safety needs, many parents seek the more focused and supportive environment that private schools can offer.
2. Personalized academic and emotional growth: When parents recognize their child’s intelligence and emotional maturity, they often turn to private schools for the tailored support to help them reach their full potential and prepare effectively for college.
3. Focus on holistic development: Unlike schools that concentrate primarily on test scores, private schools attract parents who want their child’s social and emotional learning prioritized, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to society.
4. Cultivation of unique talents and interests: Parents looking for a strong academic foundation that supports their child’s unique interests are often drawn to private schools that offer opportunities to cultivate specific talents and passions.

Friends Academy: A Quaker School Driven by Purpose and Values

Friends Academy is a nationally renowned, coeducational K–12 private school on Long Island, rooted in the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and service. Since 1876, we’ve offered an exceptional, values-driven education and are proud to be the #1 private school in Nassau County. 

As an independent, college-preparatory Quaker school, our mission is to help students discover and develop the best of who they are and who they can become. We inspire students to learn with purpose, achieving greatness without sacrificing goodness.

Social action is important to us. Civil discourse, equity, identity, inclusion, and conflict resolution become learning topics that prepare students to be citizens of the world, not just their local communities.

Our dynamic educators, unparalleled curriculum, and welcoming community nurture each student’s spirit of innovation, developing them into young adults with the social and emotional skills to practice peace and justice.

Learn more about the benefits of Quaker education by downloading our free resource—A Family's Guide to a Quaker Education.

If you are looking for a unique, respected, and value-based educational setting for your child, we invite you to connect with us today or explore our admissions requirements to learn more.